Thanks for reaching out to us here in the East, we are looking forward to a new ERA of working together and hopefully resolve some of the issues that is topic 1 and 2 for residents here in Dublin.

I will reach out to Tim very soon as it is encouraging to hear he may share some of the same views or concerns.

Keep in mind that these people actually picked Dublin 1st over all the other neighboring Cities when they relocated to the Tri Valley, now they all have to settle for possibly there 2nd choice as they really have no other option. I’m sure most of these people that initially moved to Dublin didn’t intend to become landlords. They had intended to live in Dublin for many generations. But the path of bad policy for development has changed all that for these families.

We are heavy on entry level homes, whether it is Condos/Apartments or Clustered SFR. With the lack of choices in Dublin for growing families to move up to, lack of high paying jobs, tack on the lack of any plans for a high school in the East and you’ve got the perfect recipe for the outflow of families to continue. Dublin will continue to see an inflow of young entry level buyers but the cycle will continue as when their financial status and families grow, thus the need for larger homes and public school facilities, result is moving out and moving on.

Paying an extra $50K or $100K for a similiar home in Danville, SR or Pleasanton amortized over a 30 year mortgage is much more attractive then paying $4000-$8000 plus per year for each child going to private school K-12.

Departing families turning their homes into rentals are even more likely now given the current Real Estate market, owners don’t have a choice but to rent it out.

Before blaming these families for caring about their kid’s education so much that they are willing to give up the other amenities in Dublin to go to San Remote do look at our City’s policies, model for growth that created this environment. Priority for families are Child’s Education, The House, The Job. Dublin is also heavy on retail, but how often does one need to go to Lowe’s or Best Buy or Old Navy? So moving away from these conveniences is nothing compared to moving closer to Jobs, Top Education and Facilities, Great Homes and traditional Neighborhoods. The Home, Job and School is an everyday thing. On the other hand shopping is an occasional thing thus growing families moving out makes sense.

Mayor Lockhart believes a quality of life is Sports Parks, Retail and High Density Housing with common areas, thus the push to build a lot of these in Dublin shove it down our throats. She is entitled to her opinion. Reality? quality of life is actually (local high paying jobs, traditional neighborhoods with parks, top notch public schools and facilities), proof of this look now further than any of our Neighbors (Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Sunol, Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Walnut Creek), they all have higher home values for similiar structures than Dublin, why? Not because those towns have a ton of Retail and High Density Housing because they don’t, it is because they have the other amenities that is a true quality of life (schools, jobs, nice neighborhoods). Dublin lacks these true qualities of life items because our leaders for the past 8 years felt differently.

I also agree that the School issue should not be an East vs West thing. Unfortunately though we on the East sometimes inadvertantly slight the West when making or plea for a 2nd H.S. There are great families in the West too that will make Dublin High a great school of their own.

Now this is the kind of response I feel comfortable responding to – even if it shows we disagree on some issues. Isn’t that the purpose of a blog? The difference is the showing of mutual respect while still stating concerns and differences.

I happen to agree that some of the buildout has been tended toward high density, obviously a developer driven process. Luckily, Schaefer Ranch is turning to smaler single family dwellings instead of the exec homes originally planned. It is my preference that we slow growth down in order to get a better handle on support services, infrastruture, and schools.

I think with Tim Sbranti as Mayor you will have an approachable Mayor who shares some of your concerns. Reach out to him.

I also agee that wth some folks trust is an issue. Obviously not all of Dublin feels that way, but it is why I sent the post election comment reaching out to folks. What things can we put in place to better communications? Is our website sufficient for your needs. Are the chanels through our Principals working for you? The one area that has always been a challenge is reachiing all stakeholders – parents, seniors, others – wth timely informaton. I see this blog as a growing way of doing that.

Mt. Eden HS, for the financial challenges it faces, is a great school. It will rebound to become the best in Hayward.

My email address is ledahljohn@dublin.k23.ca.us
Please use it when you can. Thanks. John Ledahl

Thanks for leaving Dublin, I just hope your section 8 renters trash your home including your would be San Ramon transplants friends. We will watch out for your section 8 renters outside your home activities but will definitely support your home being trashed. Maybe someday you will probably go to foreclosure for not recuperating your losses. By the way, hope you don’t come back to your section 8 home as we don’t intend to give you a red carpet welcome.